Gove faces test on rights plan

Michael Gove’s appointment as Justice Secretary suggests the government has ambitious plans for the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).

The renowned reformer could certainly have a battle on his hands to implement changes to human rights legislation (see box). But for justice, it is a decision made by Gove’s predecessor that will prove controversial.

Construction of the proposed 320-place secure college at Glen Parva in Leicestershire, details of which were initially unveiled in January 2014, is due to begin this year so that it can open in 2017.

But sources within the sector suggest that in light of spending commitments made by the Conservatives in the run-up to the general election, there is no guarantee that the government will maintain the appetite to spend £80m on a secure college that many campaigners are vehemently opposed to.

Indeed, similar plans drawn up in 2009 under the previous Labour government for a 360-place young offender institution costing £70m on exactly the same site at Glen Parva were eventually shelved due to financial constraints.

The secure college plans have come in for extensive criticism from campaigners who say the institution is too large and also have concerns about the fact it will hold boys ranging in age from 12- to 17-years-old, and potentially girls.

“We may have lost the legislative battle, but we are still adamant that big institutions like that are not the best place for children in custody and they are bad value for money,” says Penelope Gibbs, chair of the Standing Committee for Youth Justice.

Another area where the new government will have to make an imminent decision is in relation to youth offending teams (YOTs).

During the past six months, the MoJ has been conducting a review of YOTs.

Although the exact motivation behind the “stock take” exercise is unclear, the MoJ has refuted suggestions that it is “about privatisation”.

The new government will also be keen to make progress on improving reh